Simple and Mindless!!!

During tax season I really enjoy working on simple and mindless quilts….they are a wonderful way for me to relax for a few minutes each day. Once I have them planned, I can just sit down at the machine and get something done quickly.

The next quilt that I am starting is from the book “Successful Scrap Quilts from Simple Rectangles”. I am making a quilt that uses eighteen 1-1/2 by 3 inch (finished) rectangles for each block. AND, it takes 63 blocks to make a 60×80 quilt. So, today I spent my time cutting out dark and light rectangles.

However, I have made a very interesting discovery…..I DONT HAVE MANY LIGHT FABRICS!!! Obviously I lean toward brights and darks. I found this a bit worrying since I was trying to make this entirely from my scrap box. However, I then remembered all of those 5 and 6 inch charm squares that I have been given over the years so I am pulling all of the light fabrics out of those as well. I have already cut about 120 of the needed 570 rectangles, and hopefully I can get the rest of them without having to go into my actual stash.

One of the thoughts that has been at the back of my head for a few years is that I dont make good use of all of the scraps that I have. About a year ago, I pulled them all out, ironed them and placed them neatly in a plastic box. I then promptly forgot about them!!!!

While working on these past two scrap quilts, I realized that I dont use them because I forget that they are there, so I found an old unused basket and simply dumped them in. I am hoping that if I see these bits and pieces sitting in my sewing room, I will be more likely to use them when I am looking for “just the right” bit for some pattern.

We will see how this plan goes, but, if nothing else, I am enjoying having a bit more color out in the open.